Decisive How To Make Better Decisions In Life And Work

Decisive How To Make Better Decisions In Life And Work Book Reviews Decisive: How To Make Better Decisions In Life And Work By Natasha Stanley * What tough decisions are you facing right now in your career change? How are you going to make them? Decisiveshows how our decision-making processes are often deeply flawedand offers a powerful new approach to making big choices. Natasha tell us what she thought of of the book (hint: she loved it) and shares the key lessons she learned from it. How do you make big decisions? Do you list the pros and cons? Go with your gut instincts? Ask your friends and family for their advice? Do you even know how you go about making decisions? Career change is a series of tough decisions. And not only are they tough decisions to make, their potential consequences affect every corner of our lives. So when a book popped up on my radar that offered a simple, sound process for making better decisions, I figured it was probably worth checking out. And boy, was I right. Brothers Dan and Chip Heath believe that when it comes to decision-making, humanity has a pretty shocking track record: “An American Bar Association survey found that 44% of lawyers would recommend that a young person not pursue a career in law. People don’t save enough for retirement, and when they do save, they consistently erode their own stock portfolios by buying high and selling low. Young people start relationships with people who are bad for them. The elderly wonder why they didn’t take more time to smell the roses when they were younger.” Why are we often so bad at making decisions? And is there a method for doing it well? Decisiveanswers these two core questions in clear, simple, and memorable terms. First, the Heath brothers layout the “four villains of decision-making”: 1. Narrow framing(defining and limiting our choices too narrowly; seeing decisions in binary terms) 2. Confirmation bias (developing a quick, subconscious belief about something and then automatically seeking out information that supports that belief) 3. Short-term emotion (a loss of objectivity due to fear, elation, or agonising) 4. Overconfidence (thinking we know more than we really do about how the future will unfold) Decisivetakes us through these four ideas to show how they infiltrate every decision we make (and wow, do they get in the way!), leaving us powerless and unable to navigate big decisions with clarity and strength. Worst of all, they often get in the way without us even knowing about them, which leaves us scratching our heads in puzzlement when things don't work out well. We’re then introduced to the strategies to defeat each villain, and given powerful tools within each strategy to open up our capacity to decide, and find solutions that previously didn’t seem available. Even better, these strategies are pulled together into a process (the WRAP process), which can be brought to any decision you need to make to ensure you’re doing what’s right for you. One of the things I loved most about this book was how much attention the Heaths have paid to making what you’ve learned stick. There’s a huge amount of information packed into Decisive, but the Heath brothers manage to pull it all together in a way that bypasses information-overload and leaves you with a great understanding of everything they present. The book is split into easily-digestible chapters, peppered with brilliant examples and some hilarious moments of self-recognition. They close each chapter with a one-page summary of what you’ve learned, and build on each discovery so that nothing passes you by. At the end of the book they provide examples of decisions you might have to make, and take you through the process to show how it can be used in a variety of different scenarios. For those of us who are fascinated by this kind of subject, they provide further reading and worksheets, but the core messages of Decisiveare more than enough to make decision-making both easier and more effective for anyone who picks up the book. Decisiveis easy-to-read, easy to digest, and packed chock-full of powerful ideas, examples and methods to ensure you never make decisions in the same way again.I loved every second of this read, and will be coming back to it again and again. Top Takeaways Widen your options: Whenever you find yourself using “whether or not” thinking (whether or not to quit my job, whether or not to break up with my partner, whether or not to explore this new opportunity), you’re in the danger zone. “Any time you’re tempted to think ‘Should I do this OR that?’ instead, ask yourself, “Is there a way I can do this AND that?’ It’s surprisingly frequent that it’s feasible to do both things.” Reality-test your assumptions: “This is what’s slightly terrifying about the confirmation bias: When we want something to be true, we will spotlight the things that support it, and then, when we draw conclusions from those spotlighted assumptions, we’ll congratulate ourselves on a reasoned decision. Oops.” Find ways to try and prove yourself wrong, and do everything in your power to find out what the reality of your situation is. Talk to people, try things out in small, low-risk ways (the Heath brothers call this ‘Ooching’), and play your own devil’s advocate. Attain distance before deciding: Avoid getting lost in short-term emotional attachment. Use the 10/10/10 test. How will you feel about this decision in 10 minutes from now? How about 10 months? How about 10 years? Prepare to be wrong: “A study showed that when doctors reckoned themselves ‘completely certain’ about a diagnosis, they were wrong 40% of the time.” Part of our problem is that we spend much of our time of autopilot during our decision-making processes. Set up ‘tripwires’ to knock yourself out of autopilot and force yourself to reassess your situation on a regular basis. “Think of the way the low-fuel light in your car lights up, grabbing your attention.” These could be deadlines, budget limits, or even giving the feeling that ‘something’s not right’ a name (pilots call these moments ‘leemers’), so you can recognise it and follow a process to check it out.

How to Find Work in an Industry With No Experience

How to Find Work in an Industry With No Experience You have been searching for a job for a while when suddenly one day you see a job that you have always wanted to try. It has been your dream job for years, but for some reason you never pursued it. The problem is, you have no work experience to get this new dream job.You can choose to give up or you can follow the recommendations shared below. It is true that you have no industry or work experience in this new dream job, today. Butjust like the career you now wish to leave, it takes time and commitment to learnnew skills.After all, you are coming into this new industry with no experience, competing against those who spent their careers in it.Knowing You Have Work to Do Is Just the BeginningUnfortunately, many people are conditioned to believe that “because they do not know something now” they will never be able to learn it. With the changing times and technology in today’s job market, it has become important for people to keep learning new skills, regardless of age or experienc e level. If you look at a dream job description and read something that makes you think, “I do not know how to do that”, you are discovering that you have something to learn. Go and take the necessary classes to learn it before you apply for the job.Not only will you be happier that you did, but you will also get a liberating feeling that you are slowly escaping your old career, one class at a time. You may not be competitive today. But you are certainly on your way.Take a Full Inventory of Everything You Know How to DoSkills never go to waste. Usually, people just fall out of practice and need to refresh their memory. Before thinking everything in your old career was a waste of time, take a full inventory of everything you know how to do. Here are some examples of how to take inventory using these steps and questions below:1. What Technology Do I Use Every Day for Both Work and EntertainmentWe all use devices for something in this day and age. And such devices are used for work , too. Go through what you know how to do.2. Take Inventory of Things That Others Have Said About You in the PastWhat do my supervisors, friends, and co-workers say about my personality? Why do they enjoy working with me?3. Take Inventory of Achievements in Your Previous CareerHow did I succeed in my previous career? What licenses, degrees, and certifications have I worked towards? How have I contributed to companies in the past?All of the above may turn out to be a very long list. Yet, the longer the inventory list, the better. All skills and achievements earned throughout your career will somehow help you in the future. You may not know howyet, but they will.Understand What the Top Performers in Your Dream Industry Actually DoThe easiest way to get started doing this is to take courses held by business leaders in your desired industry. You need to discover exactly what is required for you to pursue your dream career and then spend day after day in this dream career.You are going t o find out important things like the following:What the day to day work requires The people in the profession Length of workday Time commitment required to succeed If this dream profession is one you should do long-term or short-termOn your journey of discovering “what is really required”, you may find out that you simply do not like the work. When you apply for work in a new industry with no experience, you also have to display your understanding of the industry. In doing so, you may have companies overlook your lack of experience and see you as a person they can train.Highlight Key Relevant Traits on Your ResumeTake your inventory list and start to draw parallels between your newly desired career and your old one. For example, if you were once a lawyer and now wish to apply for an executive job, your intuition and presentation skills will serve you in both positions.There are always common threads between industries that serve a person. For example, a Military Police Officer w ho leaves the US Army and becomes a high school principal, or an Executive VP at an investment firm who decides to become a CPA. Many skills you have may need tweaking, but they just might be transferable.Never dismiss those unspoken skills. Just because they do not directly apply for the job at hand, does not make them useless. These are things like personality traits and interpersonal or entertainment and athletic skills. These are the types of skills that may serve a person when least expected.When You Are Missing Key SkillsFocus on plugging up all the holes in your resume. There’s a big difference between, “I don’t have a degree in the desired field” vs. “It says Advanced Mathematics Degree required.” If you know you need an advanced degree, this will be more time to invest in your career change.When you have plugged up holes in your resume for the dream job you want, you will find applying to jobs in a new field to be like starting over. You may take some ground-flo or positions, but it will certainly be worth it.You may even find yourself many steps ahead of those who in your dream career who claim to have experience. Everyone loves a fresh and new appreciative face on the block who truly wants to be in a career and does not feel like it is owed to them because of previous experiences.Good luck!

Jumpstarting Your Finances as a New Grad

Jumpstarting Your Finances as a New Grad Earning an undergraduate or graduate degree is quite the accomplishment, and graduation lends itself to celebrations and bright hopes for the future. However, once the parties wind down and the pats on the back subside, the reality of post-graduation life quickly sets in. Getting a job is typically the highest priority on a lengthy list of to-dos, but following closely behind should be a different sort of life preparation. Managing one’s finances after attending college can seem incredibly daunting, but there are a few steps new graduates can take to jumpstart finances. Here’s how to get on the right track with your money early in life, regardless of income. Boost your Money Know-how One of the best things new graduates can do is educate themselves on the ins and outs of basic money management strategies. Although many have little desire to pick up a book or take a course after sitting through several years of lectures and completing countless assignments, a college classroom isn’t often where real-life financial skills are learned. Taking the time to gain knowledge about different types of bank accounts, how credit works, and the importance of and strategies for building a foundation of financial stability is crucial to long-term success with money. Consider reading through a personal finance book or two, or talk to parents, co-workers, or a financial advisor about what can be done to create strong habits for managing money after graduation. Create a Simple Budget Once there is a foundation of education regarding personal finances, new graduates should spend a little time on creating an easy to follow budget. Getting your first job is exciting, but it can be bad news for your wallet if there is no strategy for how that hard-earned money will be spent or saved. Evaluate how much income you earn each pay period and then subtract all of your required and desired expenses from that amount. Make sure to include fluctuating expenses, like food, entertainment, and clothing, along with fixed expenses like housing costs, student loan payments, and utilities. New graduates do best when they have a solid understanding of their cash flow each month, and when they put any excess funds not used for living expenses into a savings vehicle for the short- or long-term. Understand your Credit Options Every now and again, a major life expense comes up that has the potential to derail even the most secure budget. New graduates can do themselves a favor by understanding the credit options available to them before an emergency savings is fully funded. There are short-term loan options through local loan companies like the net lender that can help when a financial surprise rears its ugly head, and an emergency credit card with a manageable credit limit may act as a lifesaver in other cases. Be sure to know what options are available to your based on your income, your other debt obligations (like student loans), and your timeframe for repaying the debt. Set Goals for the Future Taking the small steps mentioned above will set new graduates on a path toward financial success for the future, but it can be difficult to keep up with saving and following a budget when cash flow is tight each month. Most individuals experience a greater degree of success when they set financial goals for the short-, mid-, and long-term, and they make an effort to check in on their progress from time to time. Whether it is saving for an emergency, paying down student loan debt quickly, or setting money aside for retirement, identifying the objective for a particular financial strategy is the first step toward achieving it. Consider writing down your financial goals and working with an accountability partner along the way to ensure you’re continuously moving forward on the path of building a stable financial future.

How to cut at least 6 weeks out of your job search Career Coach JobJenny

How to cut at least 6 weeks out of your job search Career Coach JobJenny Seriously. I think this can be done. How? It's simple, really, but probably also harder than it sounds because old habits die hard. The secret to cutting at least six weeks out of your job search is to bypass the outdated, overly optimistic, passive, time-wasting stuff that everyone used to do on the front end ofoursearches. Certainly, you didn't do them because you were clueless;you did them because in years past, they often worked.These methodsmay haveeven worked the very last time you were laid off, fired or simply found yourself seeking another position. I'll bet your old (or current)search formulalooked something like this: Day 1: Old Job Ends Day 2: Eat, drink or smokeyourself silly,convince yourself you didn't need thatcrummy old job anyways, make voodoo doll of former boss. Day 3: Post resume on Monster.com and every other job board you can think of. Calla bunch of recruiters, even the ones you think suck at recruiting. Day 4: Apply for nearly every job on Monster.com that is in your immediate geography, regardless of your fit or interest level in said job. Day 5: Spam every company you can think of with your resume, using a cut and paste form letter. Day 6: Wait for results. Days 7-40: Repeat days 3-6 at least 10 times. The problem with this approach is that, today? Almost no one lands a job after six weeks using it. So don't even waste valuable time testing my theory. Be proactive instead. Spend the first week creating a strategic job search plan, one that outlines specifically how you are going to gain exposure to the right people and the right opportunities. Spend the second week researching the industries, companies and geographies you wish to target. Spend the third week becoming a wizard with social networking tools (Linkedin being among the most critical), and begin to use them to your massive advantage Spend the fourth, fifth and sixth weeks actively networking, using your new wealth of social networking talents. And in the weeks that may follow: Tweak your game plan. Hold yourself accountable. Make full use of your job search time instead of spinning your wheels surfing Monster alongside the otherzillion unemployed people doing the same. Take good care of yourself. Get creative. Just don't spend more than 20% on the old school, passive search methods. They just don't work anymore.

Becoming an Entrepreneur 8 Ways to Think Like One CareerMetis.com

Becoming an Entrepreneur â€" 8 Ways to Think Like One Source â€" DepositPhotos.comChoosing a profession for yourself is not a piece of cake because many milestones of your life are attached to what you choose as your career. If being an entrepreneur is on your list then, congratulations to you, because it is one path that indeed is very fruitful and promising.People who work hard and aim high, the sky is the limit for them. Remember, it is the mindset shift that makes or breaks you â€" a positive mindset leads you to success in every walk of life; be it a career, your interpersonal relationships and much more. So if being an entrepreneur is on your mind, then the following are some key ways to think and act like one. Follow these ways to train that corporate mind of yours into launching a business.1) Goal-Oriented ThinkingevalIt is important to keep reminding ourselves that we are responsible for our actions and decisions, irrespective of them being bad or good. Through a conscious decision to begin their own line of business, entrepren eurs have tried their luck, building something from nothing literally. This risk-taking ability is something that outshines them from the rest.They don’t wait for things to work with a flick of a wand, nor do they have a pool of people to get their work sorted. Entrepreneurs are supposed to set and focus on all the attainable goals on their own.Successful business owners and entrepreneurs think smartly when it comes to achieving their goals, as they know that the competition out there is tough. This type of mindset can take you a long way in your career. If you feel you are not using your maximum skills and your work is limited to 9-5 timeframe, brainstorm and volunteer for assignments that highlight your entrepreneurial skills.2) Ability to Move ForwardIt is not atypical of people to get stuck on a certain kind of thought process and a lot of times, they don’t think outside the box â€" which usually happens with people who work within organizational boundaries.Entrepreneurs, kn ow no boundaries. They don’t go by books or predefined rules and rarely accept things the way they are. Entrepreneurs are always in quest for new ideas and opportunities; they make and execute their own decisions and hunt for new opportunities that can add value to their entrepreneurial setup. Incorporate critical thinking at the workplace, especially when you have to meet deadlines. If there is an upcoming project which you know you can do better than others, get hold of that opportunity. Take someone’s help, convince them to work on it with you, and don’t be hesitant as entrepreneurs don’t surrender even if they are in a state of skepticism.3) Expand Your SkillsetWhen you work for others, your skills are confined to a job description, leaving no room for you to spread the wings of inborn entrepreneurial skills. On the contrary, an entrepreneur is always on the go when it comes to brainstorming innovative ideas, learning a new set of skills, or using technologies and differ ent methodologies.evalIf you want to think like an entrepreneur, you need to set aside time to brainstorm some ideas for future orientation. Come up with your own plans and strategies; test your analytical abilities by expanding your skillset. Look for something that you are weak at and hone your skills then â€" even if it requires someone’s help and guidance.Exclusively take some time out to work on your dream project. Stay up the whole night, if needed, with your team to finish it well in time. Allocating time to each task is a smart and a sure-shot way to success. A step out of your comfort zone is something that helps entrepreneurs in fighting their market fears and obstacles.4) Loving Your BusinessA lot of times, as an employee, you are under obligation to perform tasks that don’t fit your job description yet you manage to do them because you are getting paid in return. You know, never say no to the boss.If you pretend to think like an entrepreneur for a few minutes, then y ou have to have the drive and passion for your work first. This positive attitude and your claim on the ownership of your work will help you stay put for a greater amount of time.evalFor instance, if you put your effort and time working for someone who creates webpages for clients, not only should you have a knack of designing websites, but you should also be passionate about it. The passion will lead you to your maximum effort when creating things for your target audience. Any lack of interest reflects on your work. Also, extracting quality work from compromised passion can become difficult sometimes.5) Be PassionateEntrepreneurs, irrespective of the size of their businesses, are very passionate people and take immense pride in whatever they do. They invest all their time, effort and money on the business they’re doing.Many entrepreneurs often start from scratch; they lack funding or the right team to start with, but it’s their determination that leads them to success by leaps and bounds.Whether it was an invention of a new device by Steve Jobs of Apple or creating a groundbreaking company like Amazon by Jeff Bezos, entrepreneurs like these have left no stone unturned when it comes to working with passion.6) Practice DisciplinePeople who take up an entrepreneurial journey are usually much focused and goal-oriented and hardly get sidetracked. While they focus more on their entrepreneurial duties, they make sure that they invest their time wisely.Being disciplined is something that comes naturally to entrepreneurs. But for some, it takes an enormous amount of effort to enforce discipline. While one doesn’t need to be stringent and exceptionally hard on themselves, they should still know what they need, what they want, and how to achieve it.7) Don’t Be Afraid of MistakesAs per research, being able to strike back from unsuccessful business plans and failures is a strength that most of the entrepreneurs possess. Playing safe is not a trick to expand your b usiness. If you want your business to grow, learn from your mistakes and never be afraid of taking risks. It’s these missteps that will help you to improve your business.Just like normal people, entrepreneurs have the tendency of making mistakes too, but they are not quitters. They learn from their mistakes and blunders. They don’t allow failures to overcome their drive and passionfor success.evalSo next time when things don’t go as planned, probably because of any shortcomings, think with a different mindset and learn from those mistakes for future perspectives.8) Don’t Ignore Others’ AdviceEntrepreneurs are great listeners and they pay close attention to intricate details that common people often ignore. They are always open to others’ advice. It’s good to be your own boss but there’s no harm in seeking the advice from your employees.In order to flourish and outperform, they would need constant improvement with a new set of ideas â€" which often means taking advice from peers. Don’t put a full stop to other’s criticism or comments right away. Take criticism positively and be open to suggestions.THE WRAP-UPevalEntrepreneurship is certainly not a glamorous field as it has its own challenges, ups and downs and requires a lot of patience and hard work. Don’t assume that things are going to be a piece of cake for you; this path has its own challenges and hurdles. Rather, prepare yourself mentally and emotionally for many rollercoaster rides and sacrifices both on a personal and professional levels.If thinking like an entrepreneur and eventually becoming one is what you have dreamt all your life, then get ready to put your heart and soul into it. If you put in all your efforts and work hard, then there’s nothing that can stop you from yielding high profits and dividends in the times to come.eval

Commonly Confused Words That Can Cost You Credibility - CareerEnlightenment.com

going to see a link below to my writing samples.”English is one of the world’s most challenging languages because of words that sound the same, or have multiple but unrelated meanings.   There are a number of other commonly confused words to be aware of in your job search, such as “principal” or “principle” and “incite” or “insight.”  Your ability to write a professional and  error-free cover letter, blog  and résumé is a reason for an employer to want to follow up with you. Even if you have the specific qualifications to meet what the employer is looking for, poor proofreading of your documents can disqualify you.To learn more, Google “commonly confused words” and follow the links!

What Should You Look For in a Resume Writing Service?

What Should You Look For in a Resume Writing Service?Have you ever heard of resume writing services? Resume writing is becoming one of the most important skills to have in today's business world. Companies like to hire the best people that they can and they want to know about their work history and their qualifications.There are companies that offer such services, but it all depends on how serious you are about your career and your goals. There are companies that will provide you with these services, but there are also companies that will charge you a fee for them. So what should you look for in a company that offers resume writing services?The first thing that you should check is that they actually provide the services you want. It is very important that you find a company that will actually help you achieve your career goals. Do you want to land a job at Google or Dell or Apple? There are companies that will help you with this and you should check these companies.When you are looki ng for resume writing services then you should check with their free trial. Most companies will give you a free trial so that you can use their services and see if they are right for you. There are companies that will offer you resume writing services with an initial cost, but most companies will give you a free trial. This is important because if they do not work out well then you can always cancel your services. Free trials make the best service because you can start out and see if the service works for you.There are other things that you should look for when choosing a good resume writing service. You should look for a company that has a commitment to good customer service. They should be available on the phone, online, faxes and are available anytime you need to speak with them. Remember this is a business and you want to have them available as much as possible.If you are having trouble getting a job and want to know more about resume writing services then you should consider go ing to sites like Elance.com. Elance.com is one of the leading places for outsourcing jobs. Their goal is to help their members and other online professionals earn money by offering them valuable service that they need. You can make money right now by starting out with their services.